The Many Meanings of 'cho' — Southern Vietnamese Grammar

The word is one of the most versatile words in Vietnamese. While its primary definition is the verb "to give," it frequently functions as a preposition or a particle to indicate beneficiaries, permission, purpose, or time.

As the Main Verb "To Give"

In its simplest form, functions as a verb meaning to transfer something to someone. The structure is usually: Subject + + Recipient + Object.

Ba cho tôi tiền tiêu vặt.
Dad gives me pocket money.
Chị ấy cho tôi mượn cuốn sách.
She gave me the book to borrow (lent me the book).

As a Preposition: "For" or "To"

When placed after another verb, indicates who receives the benefit of the action. It covers the English meanings of both "for" (doing a favor) and "to" (directing an action).

Tôi mua ly cà phê này cho bạn.
I bought this cup of coffee for you.
Làm ơn mở cửa cho bà ngoại.
Please open the door for grandma.
Anh nhớ viết thư cho em nha.
Remember to write a letter to me, okay?

Expressing Permission: "Let" or "Allow"

is used to express allowing someone to do something. The structure is: + Person + Verb. This is very common in both requests and statements of authority.

Má không cho tôi đi chơi khuya.
Mom does not let me go out late at night.
Cho tôi hỏi một câu được không?
Let me ask a question, is that okay?
Anh ấy không cho ai vô phòng.
He doesn't let anyone enter the room.

Expressing Purpose or State: "To Make" or "So That"

You will often see followed immediately by an adjective. In this context, it explains the purpose of an action—doing something to achieve a specific state. It translates roughly to "to make it [adjective]" or "so that it is [adjective]."

Nói lớn lên cho rõ.
Speak up to make it clear.
Đi nhanh lên cho kịp giờ.
Go faster to be on time.
Cắt ngắn lại cho đẹp.
Cut it shorter to make it look good.

Expressing Time or Extent: "Until"

In specific contexts involving time or waiting, can function similarly to the preposition "until," indicating an action continues up to a certain point.

Đợi cho tới khi trời sáng.
Wait until the sky gets light (morning).
Ăn cho hết chén cơm.
Eat until the bowl of rice is finished.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Southern Vietnamese course

36 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 47. A few of them, with the words “The Many Meanings of 'cho'” is about in bold:

Mình cũng mua cho bạn một tá trứng và một cây kẹo.
I bought a dozen eggs and a candy bar for you too.
Lesson 47
Ba tôi đã mua một món quà cho mẹ tôi.
My father bought a present for my mother.
Lesson 225
Tôi phải đi xe đạp cho đến khi có một chiếc xe hơi mới.
I have to ride my bike until I get a new car.
Lesson 301

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